HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-3-5Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board
March 5th, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
Conference Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road
Members present: Chuck Connors, Peter Brace, Wendy McCrae, Dr. Peter Boyce,
Michael Glowacki.
Members Absent: Doug Smith, Bill Blount
Marine Dept: Sheila Lucey
Public Safety: Chief Pittman
Natural Resources Dept. Jeff Carlson, Tara Riley
Others: Robert Capossela, Richard Corrado, Sarah Jacobs, Sophia Bass Werner, Matt
Herr, Scott Leonard, Emma Macaire
CALL TO ORDER
5:00 P.M.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Unanimously approved
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes for the February 19th HSAB meeting were amended by
spelling corrections on the shellfish Blood Ark and Mussels plus the addition of Leah's
last name (Cabral) was added.
Unanimously approved as amended
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Shellfish Bylaw Review Workgroup update: Mr. Brace spoke to the board regarding
the most recent SRBW meeting which was held on February 21". During that meeting
they appointed officers and got themselves orientated to the format in which they will be
following and how they'll be covering each species. Blue Mussels and possibly soft
shelled clams will be addressed next meeting.
The following officers have been appointed to the SRBW; Chairman will be Bill Blount,
Doug Smith Vice Chairman and Peter Brace will be the Secretary.
MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
Scallop Season Update:
Bushel count is 17,241, approximately 14 boats were seen scalloping today (March 5`h)
They have stepped up enforcement efforts.
Shellfish Warden Change — enforcement transition — Bill Pittman: Chief Pittman
informed HSAB about some recent changes that took place on Monday (March 4'h)
regarding the Marine Department and Natural Resources Department. There was a bit of
restructuring done to the Departments regarding the division of each Departments
responsibility's their employee's
The Natural Resources Department will be responsible for Shellfish propagation, beach
management (not including lifeguards), water quality, Aquaculture and fisheries
management, they will also be responsible for working with the conservation commission,
the article 67 fertilizer regulations and will now take on the role of shellfish enforcement.
The marine department will be responsible for search and rescue, aids to navigation, the
lifeguard program, town pier, mooring field and general water safety.
Appointment of Natural Resources Enforcement Officer — JC Johnson (former
assistant harbormaster) is the newly appointed Natural Resources Enforcement officer.
He is now employed by the NRD rather then the MD and his duties are to be that of a
shellfish warden.
A meeting was held with the union to discus this change which ended with them signing
off on the changes. The two qualified candidates for the job (JC Johnson and Dan Blount)
both needed to be offered the position. Dan Blount didn't want the job and JC Johnson
did, making it an easy negotiation for the union. Both Mr. Blount and Mr. Johnson will
be keeping their current pay rates. Ms. Lucey and Mr. Blount will still have the authority
of a shellfish constable although it will not be their primary responsibility.
NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT
Shellfish Management Plan -Tara Riley- On March 20`h the Final Draft of the Shellfish
Management Plan (SMP) will be presented to the Board of Selectmen. It should be
available in this weeks Inquirer & Mirror newspaper and the final draft is viewable online
at the Natural Resources Town Webpage.
Possible seed -heavy closure areas- discussion: Ms. Lucey spoke to Tara Riley about
the possibility of closing areas heavy with seed to scallopers. Considering the forecasted
weather and the short amount of time left in season it was agreed they will not be closing
any areas. Ms. Lucey stated that they have tightened up enforcement to keep a watch for
seed leaving the harbor.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES
REPORT
No Public comment
OLD BUSINESS
No Old Business
NEW BUSINESS
Seal Abatement Coalition's resolution for BOS — Discussion: HSAB was given a letter
written by SAC for us to review and hopefully give our support by writing a letter to the
BOS. SAC would like our support for "objective science -based research" into the extent
and environmental and economical implications of the gray seal population increase by
appropriate government agencies and independent scientific research organization as
appropriate and necessary. The letter from SAC explains the negative impacts that the
ever growing seal population on Nantucket including Great Point and Muskeget has on
fishermen, beachgoers, water quality and possibly on the shellfish habitat.
A motion was made by Ms. McCrae to continue this till our next meeting, seconded by Dr.
Boyce and unanimously approved.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT
Scott Leonard from the Nantucket Marine Mammal Conservation Program asked that we
postpone making our recommendation until after May 20th. Mr. Leonard stated that on
May 20th there will be a big discussion on this issue and we should be hearing both sides
before supporting the letter by SAC. Mr. Leonard said that on May 20th there will be
experts and scientist here to speak on the issue of water quality and great white sharks.
He urged the board to wait until after that meeting to make our recommendation.
RECAP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Seal Abatement Coalition resolution
Possible Seed Moving
ADJOURN
Future Meetings:
March 19th, April 2nd